Date: March 29, 2015
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne, Australia
Result: Australia won by 7 wickets
Toss: New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat
Player of the Match: James Faulkner (Australia)
Match Overview
The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup final brought together co-hosts and fierce rivals Australia and New Zealand at the iconic MCG. The Kiwis, under the dynamic Brendon McCullum, were playing their first World Cup final, riding high on an unbeaten run. Australia, four-time champions, aimed to seize glory on home soil.
In front of over 93,000 fans, Australia delivered a commanding performance, bowling out New Zealand for 183 and chasing the target comfortably in just 33.1 overs. Michael Clarke’s 74 in his final ODI and a brilliant all-round bowling effort sealed Australia’s fifth World Cup title.
New Zealand Innings – 183 all out in 45.0 overs
After choosing to bat, New Zealand lost early momentum with the dismissal of McCullum in the first over. Despite a valiant 83 from Grant Elliott, regular wickets and a disciplined Australian bowling attack prevented the Kiwis from posting a competitive total.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and opted to bat first—an aggressive statement of intent. But that decision unraveled quickly in the face of Australia’s unrelenting pace attack.
1st Over – A Crushing Start:
Mitchell Starc, who had been in fiery form all tournament, bowled a stunning opening over. In just the fifth ball, he sent McCullum’s stumps cartwheeling with an inswinging yorker. The MCG roared as the danger man departed for a duck, setting the tone for the rest of the innings.
Top Order Collapse:
Martin Guptill, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, and Kane Williamson followed soon after. Guptill was caught by Brad Haddin off Glenn Maxwell for 15, while Williamson nicked one to the keeper off Mitchell Johnson for 12. At 39/3, New Zealand was in serious trouble.
Grant Elliott’s Lone Resistance:
Grant Elliott, the hero of the semi-final, again played a composed innings under pressure. He scored 83 runs off 82 balls, anchoring the innings with occasional support from Ross Taylor (40) and Luke Ronchi. However, the lower order crumbled under pressure. James Faulkner’s double strike in the 36th over removed Corey Anderson and Elliott, breaking New Zealand’s spine.
Collapse and All-Out:
From 150/4, the Kiwis collapsed to 183 all out in 45 overs. Faulkner (3/36), Johnson (3/30), and Starc (2/20) were clinical with the ball, applying pressure at both ends.
New Zealand Batting Scorecard
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brendon McCullum | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | Bowled Starc |
| Martin Guptill | 15 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 44.12 | Caught Haddin, b Maxwell |
| Kane Williamson | 12 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 36.36 | Caught Haddin, b Johnson |
| Ross Taylor | 40 | 72 | 3 | 0 | 55.55 | Run out (Maxwell) |
| Grant Elliott | 83 | 82 | 7 | 1 | 101.21 | Caught Haddin, b Faulkner |
| Corey Anderson | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | Bowled Faulkner |
| Luke Ronchi | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | Caught Clarke, b Faulkner |
| Daniel Vettori | 9 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 42.85 | Caught Finch, b Johnson |
| Tim Southee | 11 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 137.50 | Bowled Johnson |
| Trent Boult | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 | Caught Smith, b Starc |
| Matt Henry | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | Not Out |
Extras: 12 (6 wides, 5 leg byes, 1 no-ball)
Total: 183 all out (45.0 overs)
Australia Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | 8 | 20 | 2 | 2.50 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 9 | 30 | 0 | 3.33 |
| Mitchell Johnson | 9 | 30 | 3 | 3.33 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 6 | 37 | 1 | 6.17 |
| James Faulkner | 9 | 36 | 3 | 4.00 |
| Michael Clarke | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3.00 |
| Shane Watson | 3 | 12 | 0 | 4.00 |
Australia Innings – 186/3 in 33.1 overs
Chasing 184, Australia lost Finch early but were never really troubled. A strong partnership between Warner and Smith followed by a captain’s knock from Michael Clarke ensured a convincing win.
Chasing a modest total of 184 in front of a home crowd, Australia were confident but cautious, knowing the New Zealand pace trio of Boult, Southee, and Henry could be dangerous.
Early Wicket:
Aaron Finch was bowled by Trent Boult early in the innings for a duck, giving New Zealand a glimmer of hope. However, that would be their only success for quite some time.
Warner and Smith Build Foundation:
David Warner attacked from the outset, hitting boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking. He made a brisk 45 before being dismissed by Matt Henry. Meanwhile, Steve Smith anchored the innings with maturity.
Michael Clarke’s Final Flourish:
Captain Michael Clarke, in his last ODI, played a magnificent innings under pressure. With elegance and authority, he scored 74 runs off 72 balls, ensuring there were no late stumbles. His half-century came in just 56 balls and included 10 boundaries.
Fitting Finish:
Clarke fell just before the finish line, but Smith carried the team home. He sealed the win with a boundary, remaining unbeaten on 56. Australia reached the target in 33.1 overs with 7 wickets in hand.
Australia Batting Scorecard
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Finch | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | Bowled Boult |
| David Warner | 45 | 46 | 7 | 0 | 97.82 | Caught Elliott, b Henry |
| Steven Smith | 56* | 71 | 3 | 0 | 78.87 | Not Out |
| Michael Clarke | 74 | 72 | 10 | 1 | 102.77 | Bowled Henry |
| Shane Watson | 2* | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 | Not Out |
Extras: 9 (5 wides, 3 leg byes, 1 no-ball)
Total: 186/3 in 33.1 overs
New Zealand Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trent Boult | 10 | 40 | 1 | 4.00 |
| Tim Southee | 9 | 65 | 0 | 7.22 |
| Matt Henry | 9 | 46 | 2 | 5.11 |
| Daniel Vettori | 3 | 18 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Corey Anderson | 2.1 | 9 | 0 | 4.15 |
Key Turning Points
- McCullum’s early dismissal (0 off 3) by Starc shook New Zealand’s confidence.
- Faulkner’s spell (3/36) broke New Zealand’s middle order, especially the wickets of Elliott and Anderson.
- Clarke’s 74 in his final ODI was a captain’s innings and helped build a steady chase.
- Starc and Johnson’s relentless pace ensured the Kiwi batsmen never settled.
Historical Significance
- Australia’s 5th World Cup title, the most by any team in cricket history (as of 2015).
- Clarke’s final ODI ended in a fairytale finish with a match-winning performance.
- New Zealand reached their first-ever World Cup final, symbolizing their rise in world cricket.
- This match highlighted the importance of pressure handling in finals, with Australia’s experience proving vital.
The Build-Up
The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup final was a trans-Tasman battle between co-hosts Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand had reached their first-ever World Cup final with a string of thrilling performances, including a dramatic semi-final win against South Africa. Australia, the four-time champions at the time, were aiming for a fifth title on home soil. The atmosphere at the MCG was electric with a record crowd of over 93,000 in attendance.
Key Performances
- Grant Elliott (NZ): 83 off 82 balls – Lone standout for New Zealand
- Mitchell Starc (AUS): 2/20 – Including the vital wicket of McCullum
- James Faulkner (AUS): 3/36 – Middle-overs enforcer and match-turner
- Mitchell Johnson (AUS): 3/30 – Broke the lower order with sheer pace
- Michael Clarke (AUS): 74 – Captain’s innings in his ODI swan song
- Steve Smith (AUS): 56* – Calm, collected, and consistent
Match Impact and Legacy
Australia’s victory marked their fifth ICC Cricket World Cup title (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2015), reinforcing their dominance in world cricket. For Michael Clarke, it was a perfect farewell, ending his ODI career by lifting the World Cup in front of a jubilant home crowd.
New Zealand, despite the loss, earned immense respect for their spirited journey to the final. Their brand of fearless cricket, led by McCullum, inspired a new generation of cricketers and fans alike.
The match showcased the importance of early breakthroughs, disciplined bowling, and experience in high-pressure situations. It was not just a win but a statement—Australia remained the cricketing powerhouse, and the MCG final was a grand celebration of excellence, emotion, and history.
Final Scorecard:
- New Zealand: 183 all out (45.0 overs)
- Australia: 186/3 (33.1 overs)
- Result: Australia won by 7 wickets